She stopped and smiled and said, “C’mere, it’s not toxic.”
I went over and kissed her. Sometimes affection between us perks Blanche up and she vamps for attention.
Today: nonstop log-sawing.
I said, “The diva okay? She looks wiped out.”
Robin said, “Just took her for a little walk down to the Glen and then she had a couple of treats. Okay, three.”
“Sensory overload. I won’t interrupt either of you.”
“It’s never an interruption, darling. Just a momentary shift of focus.”
She kissed me again.
Blanche grumbled.
I waited for the little blond sausage body to animate. It didn’t.
Robin’s fingers flexed. A sprinter stretching before the starter’s gun.
I said, “Nice polish.”
She picked up the pad. “Helps when you start with lovely wood.”
I returned to the house.
—
During the few minutes I’d been gone, Lee had called back. This time she picked up.
“Hi, Alex. Are you with your police friend?”
“Nope, at home.”
“Good. We need to talk in private.”
“Sure.”
“Not over the phone,” she said. “I’ve got one more patient for another hour, Don’s out of town, and Becka’s going to a friend’s to study. Let’s meet somewhere between your place and mine, say ninety minutes.”
Lee lived in Little Holmby.
I said, “How about campus.”
“Perfect. There’s a parking area west of the quad.”
“Know it. I’m intrigued.”
Lee said, “Not sure I’d use that adjective.”
—
Her call had heightened my senses, which was a good thing. Bad idea to run on the Glen in a distracted state. Too many cars and sharp turns. I began an hour jog with a throbbing but clear head, returned the same way, showered, dressed in fresh clothes, left Robin a note on the kitchen table, and made it to the Seville with time to spare.
Chapter
19
